Stair lift weight limits
Maximum rider weight for each model, from the manufacturers, and the three things that quietly lower it: curved rails, long tracks and outdoor use.
Last verified
| Model | Stairs | Maximum weight |
|---|---|---|
| Harmar Pinnacle SL600HD | Straight | 600 lb |
| Bruno Elite: indoor straight, outdoor straight and outdoor curved | Straight or curved | 400 lb |
| Harmar Pinnacle SL600 | Straight | 350 lb |
| Stannah Siena | Straight | about 350 lb (159 kg) |
| Acorn 130 HD | Straight | about 350 lb (159 kg) |
| Harmar Summit Outdoor | Straight | 350 lb, or 250 lb on track over 15′9″ |
| Bruno Elan | Straight | 300 lb |
| Harmar SL300 | Straight | 300 lb |
| Acorn 130 | Straight | 280 lb (127 kg) |
| Acorn 180 | Curved | about 265 lb (120 kg) |
The short answer
Most standard stair lifts carry 280 to 350 pounds. Bruno's Elite models carry 400, and one model, Harmar's Pinnacle SL600HD, carries 600, the highest we found from any manufacturer. Above 350 pounds, the choice narrows to a handful of models, so start there rather than with brand or price.
Curved lifts usually carry less
Acorn's curved 180 is rated at 120 kg, about 265 pounds, against 127 kg for its straight 130. If the stairs turn and the rider is near or above 300 pounds, ask specifically for the curved capacity, not the brand's headline figure. Bruno's outdoor curved Elite is rated at 400 pounds, the highest curved figure we found published.
Long staircases can lower the limit
On some models the capacity depends on the length of the track. Harmar's Summit Outdoor carries 350 pounds on up to 15 feet 9 inches of track, but 250 pounds on a longer one. Long outdoor flights, down a bank or to a dock, are where this bites. Give the dealer the rider's weight and the length of the stairs together, and ask for the capacity at that length in writing.
Heavy duty lifts take more room
The extra strength comes with a wider chair. Harmar's SL600HD folds to 16.5 inches from the wall, against 10.5 for the standard SL600. On a narrow staircase that can decide whether a heavy duty model fits at all; the narrow stairs guide compares folded widths.
Leave a margin
The rated figure is a maximum, not a target. Acorn warns that riding above the limit risks serious injury as well as damage to the lift. If the rider is within 20 or 30 pounds of a model's limit, or their weight changes, choose the next model up. The price difference is small next to the cost of a second lift.
Outdoor and weight
Outdoor models have their own ratings. Bruno's outdoor Elites carry 400 pounds and Harmar's Summit Outdoor 350 or 250 depending on track length. The outdoor stair lift comparison covers them alongside temperature ratings and power.
Next steps
Once you know which models carry the rider, find a local installer for that brand in our directory, check what a stair lift costs, and see who pays for one.
Capacities are from manufacturer material: Harmar's SL600HD (opens in a new tab) and SL600 (opens in a new tab) sell sheets and its model comparison (opens in a new tab) for the SL300; Bruno's Elan specification (opens in a new tab) and Elite outdoor data sheet (opens in a new tab), with indoor Elite capacity from an authorized Bruno dealer (opens in a new tab); Acorn's published weight limits (opens in a new tab); Stannah's Siena specifications (opens in a new tab); and Harmar's Summit Outdoor page (opens in a new tab). Pounds are converted from kilograms where the manufacturer gives only metric. Confirm the figure for your exact model and stairs with a dealer.